Current Stage - November 2010

The Advanced Digital Institute (ADI)

The Advanced Digital Institute (ADI) and Airedale Hospital are joining partners in Italy , Sweden and Poland to share knowledge about the use of ICT to help patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes in their own homes.

The ADI, a flagship project of the Masterplan, has been working with Airedale Hospital in the field of telehealth for a number of years and both have nationally recognised expertise. It is hoped this European-funded project will produce an action plan that will inform the development of telehealth services across Europe . The work confirms Airedale as a location for leading edge research and development.

Bingley Business Technology Park

The development of the site remains a priority for the Airedale Partnership and is being looked at in the context of the wider issues in Bingley. In the immediate future the development of the Buck Lane site will be the Partnership's focus for the construction of new business space in Airedale. (see below)

Keighley Station

Discussions are ongoing between Network Rail, Northern Rail and Metro and a number of options have been developed by Network Rail to improve access from Keighley station entrance to the platforms. The next stage is endorsement of the preferred scheme by the Department for Transport.

Former College buildings North Street & Cavendish Street , Keighley

The intended re-use of the former college site at the Junction of North Street and Cavendish Street , as a mixed use development remains. The recession has prompted a fresh look at the viability of some options in the current market.

A mix of short term re-use of the buildings and further feasibility work is underway. The Council is exploring the options to make the exceptional opportunities the site provides accessible to the market.

Connecting Airedale

Proposals for alterations to Saltaire roundabout have been drawn up and revised during the last year following consultation. This scheme has been promoted under the “connecting Airedale” banner. This difficult roundabout has been examined carefully and the scheme has been amended to address local difficulties. This kind of refinement is usual in the design/consultation process. When agreed the scheme will be built in 2011.

The Quality Bus corridor project has involved improvements to public transport and journey times. Buses now have priority at traffic signalled junctions and pedestrian crossings on the A650 between Bradford and Keighley. This means shorter and more reliable bus journeys. Recent surveys show that the inbound to Bradford journey time between Emm Lane and Drewton Road has reduced by an average of 20%. Most bus stops now have raised kerbs and bus clearway markings to ensure accessibility. Keighley and District Transport have raised the profile of the 662 Airedale Shuttle buses, by introducing a distinctive new livery. Further improvements in bus journey time will result from bus priority measures as part of the Saltaire Roundabout improvements.

Other Developments

The autumn period has also seen a number of other successes for the Masterplan. The Keighley campus of Leeds City College was officially opened on Monday 6th September. The Keighley Campus, which cost £35 million, brings all of the college's Keighley students under one roof in a high quality learning environment.

Two planning applications have been submitted for the 6 hectare Buck Lane site off the A6038, in Baildon. The applications were informed by the public exhibitions that have taken place in recent weeks and refer to the access works and the outline design of the site. Planning permission is expected in December 2010. This project has great promise for future innovation and will help to retain companies within the District that are growing high skill, high value jobs. It is anticipated that construction of the access road and site development will begin in 2011/12

The Dockfield Rd (Shipley) and Dalton Lane (Keighley) business forums were held in October and provided an opportunity for local businesses to find out about common issues that affect them and network over lunch. Mike Cowlam , assistant director of the Economic Development Service in the Council's Regeneration department updated both forums on what a future Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) could mean for local firms. At the Dockfield Rd forum, held at the VM Lounge at Victoria Mills, there were further updates from: Peg Alexander, Director of Bradford City of Film; Andrew Mason , Director of Newmason Properties; Shipley Area Coordinators Office on how businesses can help keep the River Aire clean. The Dalton Lane Forum, held at the Keighley campus of Leeds City College heard updates form Martin Dickson of Leeds City College and Charles Kitchen from Airedale Enterprise Services.

Shipley Focus'd, the new temporary photographic gallery in Shipley has held three exhibitions so far, with the latest one ‘Alf's Hat' being well received by visitors. The gallery has attracted in excess of 3000 visitors in its first 3 months – way ahead of expectations. The project was set up by Shipley-based Q20 theatre in collaboration with Shipley Town Centre Management and the Airedale Partnership.

Work is progressing well in a range of work areas that make up the Watershed Landscapes project. The ‘Inspired by Landscape' part of the project has appointed five aspiring artists and writers to undertake forty-day residencies as part of the three-year Project. As well as being supported to develop their own practice and create new work in the visual arts and literature, the artists and writers will be working with a variety of community groups, schools, families and young ambassadors within the South Pennines through a series of workshops. As part of the access improvement part of the programme, a popular walking route which runs from Whetstone Gate to the Trig point along the highest point of the southern boundary of Ilkley Moor will be improved this winter. This new walking surface will help to restore a badly eroded landscape and protect the fragile peat and associated habitat from further damage.

Work on the ‘Historic Environment' theme has also gathered pace with the launch of the ‘CSI: Rombalds Moor' project on the 6 th November. Further details can be found from the following link: www.pennineprospects.co.uk/watershed-landscape